Cordelia’s birth classes are phenomenal. She took us step by step through the birth process in a practical and experiential way. She is very caring, supportive and knowledgable. My husband and I really enjoyed applying what we were learning in the course in an experiential way. During the classes, Cordelia demonstrated breathing techniques, birthing positions, lead discussions on fears/anxieties we might be dealing with and provided videos to augment the written materials. We were very prepared for our home birth and brought a healthy baby girl into this world in January 2013. Thanks Cordelia for helping us prepare for this life changing experience!” – Jennifer M.

Is your schedule too hectic to attend group classes? Need last minute classes? Private childbirth preparation classes are offered in the privacy and comfort of your own home to suit your schedule and budget, customized to suit interests . Instructor comes to you and transforms your living-room into a childbirth classroom. Includes DVDs, Videos and instructional materials. Classes are generally 3-4 hours in length and can include siblings, grandparents, friends, etc. at no additional charge.

Learner Objectives

By the end of these classes, expectant mothers and their partners will have:

Increased knowledge about options for childbirth, pros and cons of medical procedures, and be able to make informed choices during pregnancy and childbirth.

Increased confidence to give birth normally, cope with labor, and partners will have increased confidence to support the woman through the process of labor.

Increased confidence to breastfeed and care for their newborn.

Design your own customized class by choosing from the topics below:

Understanding Birth

Preventing premature birth

Eating right for a healthy pregnancy

Coping with common discomforts of pregnancy

How your body works in labor and birth

How labor begins and progresses

“True” labor vs. “False” labor

The phases and stages of birth

How to time contractions

When to go to the hospital

Homebirth Preparation Includes:

Preparing your house and family for the birth

Planning for home waterbirth

Arranging for hospital and MD back up

Understanding how your midwives will deal with unexpected complications and emergencies.

Coping with Labor

Breathing techniques and relaxation exercises

Creative Visualization and other techniques

Positions for easier, faster and more comfortable labor

Support methods for birth partners

Positions for effective pushing

Trusting your body’s wisdom, surrendering and opening to birth

Cultivating trust in birth; overcoming fear and anxiety

The benefits of natural childbirth or “physiological childbirth”

Orgasmic Birth?! How this is possible…

The Role of the Doula–your partner in manifesting the birth you desire

Making Informed Choices

Choosing the place of birth: hospital, home or birth center?

Choosing your birth support provider: midwife or obstetrician?

Pain medication options: epidurals and analgesics; risks and benefits

Advantages and disadvantages of medical procedures and their effect on labor, mother and baby (induction, electronic fetal monitoring, etc)

Big brother or big sister classes can be customized in an age-appropriate manner for children ages 3-17. Children can be part of a birth process of a new sibling when the parents are comfortable with the child being present, they have their own support person and the child wants to be there. Having an older sibling at birth can lessen sibling rivalry and make the big brother or sister recognize their important role in the family. However, these classes can also be for children who are not going to be at the birth. Age appropriate materials and learning opportunities provided to help children understand and feel part of the pregnancy. Call us to schedule.

PROVIDING MOTHER-FRIENDLY AND BABY-FRIENDLY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION FOR BIRTH AND BEYOND

Prenatal education today is much more than learning how to breathe. These “Lamaze” childbirth preparation classes help pregnant women and expectant parents understand the birth process, learn how to cope with labor so they can enter into labor with confidence. These prenatal preparation and lactation education classes empower parents to take an active role in making informed decisions about their maternity and newborn care including making informed choices such as where to have the baby –hospital, birth center or homebirth, and choosing the maternity care provider: midwife or obstetrician. Classes are appropriate for first time expectant parents and experienced parents alike; whether planning a hospital birth or birth center or homebirth, whether you have a Midwife or Obstetrician. We promote a Mother- and Baby-Friendly Approach and promote Biological Nurturing and Attachment Parenting. Refresher childbirth education classes and sibling birth preparation classes are also available.

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE THESE CLASSES?

Because we educate about and promote:

Informed consent and refusal in maternity care–not only is it responsible and ethical, women who felt they had decision-making power during birth had improved self-esteem and bonding with their babies

Attachment parenting and Biological Nurturing as the most sensible way to develop happy and secure children

In short, we trust birth. We believe in you. We help you develop confidence for birthing, breastfeeding and parenting. We help you develop a vision for your birth; we support you to manifest it.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Cordelia Hanna-Cheruiyot, MPH, CHES, ICCE, CLE, CBA

Is a Certified Childbirth Educator (ICEA), Certified Birth Assistant (ALACE), Certfied Lactation Educator (CAPPA), Postpartum Doula and Assistant Midwife. She has taught hundreds of couples and attended births as an Assistant Midwife and Doula/Monitrice in hospitals, birth centers and homes since 1991. Cordelia received her Masters in Public Health in Health Education and Promotion/Maternal Child Health from Loma Linda University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) accredited by NCHEC, the gold standard for professional health educators. She has extensive experience working in the public health arena in Los Angeles as a Perinatal and Women’s Health Education Consultant, Trainer and mother of two home-born, family-bedded, breastfed and attachment parented children who are now bright and capable young adults. Learn more about Cordelia

PAY FOR CLASSES

Classes are $50.00 per hour when taught in your own home. Classes are $60.00 per hour when conducted at Los Angeles Birth Partners in Santa Monica or healing arts center in Highland Park. To reserve class, $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required, applied to first hour of classes. A minimum of one 3-hour class is required. Payments by check, money order, or cash are accepted. Donations may be tax-deductible. Check with your tax professional.

Pay By Check:

Make checks and money orders payable to: The Association for Wholistic Maternal and Newborn Health (AWMNH).

To pay for classes, use the pull down menu below to select “Private Childbirth Preparation Classes”. Enter the number of hours you want to pay for (1 hour = 1 unit = $50.00). Then select “ADD TO CART” You will then be redirected to Paypal’s secure website where you may pay using your Paypal account or your debit or credit card. If you do not have a Paypal account, you can set one up in minutes.